<![CDATA[Kapal motor merupakan alat transportasi laut antarpulau yang perlu mendapat perhatian dari pemerintah dan perusahaan kapal karena kelaikan kapal motor sangat menyangkut keselamatan penumpang agar terhindar dari kecelakaan laut. Kecenderungan melanggar aturan yang telah ditetapkan oleh pemerintah dalam menggunakan jasa transportasi kapal motor sudah menjadi budaya masyarakat Maluku dan pemiliki kapal motor. Untuk mengetahui budaya, persepsi, dan upaya membangun masyarakat dalam menggunakan jasa transportasi kapal motor di Maluku dilakukan suatu penelitian menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif. Dari hasil penelitian dapat diungkapkan bahwa budaya masyarakat Maluku dalam menggunakan jasa transportasi kapal motor memiliki unsur positif dan negatif. Unsur positif ketika menunggu kapal motor terlambat datang serta kebersamaan sebagai penumpang membentuk budaya masyarakat yang sabar dan tolong menolong. Unsur negatif masih ada masyarakat yang tidak membeli tiket di tempat yang sudah ditentukan, membawa barang melebihi kapasitas, membuang sampah sembarangan, minum-minuman keras, dan banyak yang tidak mengerti tentang alat keselamatan sehingga membentuk budaya pelanggaran. Upaya yang harus dilakukan untuk membangun budaya tertib dan teratur adalah peningkatan faktor kenyamanan, keselamatan, ketertiban, dan keamanan melalui penegakan peraturan dan perbaikan manajemen perusahaan. Kata kunci: kapal motor, transportasi laut, budaya masyarakat, keselamatan penumpang. Motor boat is sea transportation between islands that needs attention from the government and the company's flagship because its reliability is closely related to passengers' safety and thus to marine accident prevention. The tendency to break rules set by the government in using the motor boat transportation services has become a culture of some communities in Maluku and boat owners. To know the culture, perceptions, and community building efforts in using boat transportation services in Maluku, a study using qualitative research methods has been conducted. The results of this study revealed that the culture of the people of Maluku in using boat transport services had positive and negative elements. Positive elements include the attitude in waiting for the boat that comes late and the togetherness of the passengers that shape the culture of being patient and helping each other. The negative elements include the condition in which many people do not buy a ticket at the appointed places, exceed baggage capacity, littering, drinking, and many do not understand the importance of safety devices that may lead to the culture of violations. Efforts that should be made to build a culture of being orderly is enhancement of the factor of comfort, safety, order, and security through rule enforcement and improvement of companies' management. Keywords: motor boat, marine transportation, culture, passengers, safety]]>
